FLOYD COUNTY — One year ago, the international Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program took root in Floyd County, providing a free, book each month via mail to every child younger than 5 who signed up.
Now, just 12 months later, the program grew from an initial enrollment of 1,649 to 2,797, which is higher than the five-year goal mark, said Becky King, Community Alliance to Promote Education director, which oversees the local program.
“It feels wonderful to be where we are right now,” King said. “Now, we’re pushing for a short term goal of 3,000 by the end of August. It just sounds like such a nice, round number.”
With that goal in mind, CAPE is hosting a birthday party for the program, inviting all of the public to come out for crafts, games and presents, which are, of course, free books. The party is tomorrow from 10 a.m. to noon in the children’s department at the New Albany-Floyd County Public Library. Parents will also have a chance to sign up their children who are younger than 5 to receive free books. The only requirement, in addition, to age is that the child live in Floyd County.
King said it’s important to make sure all children who are eligible are signed up.
“We know that reading begins long before school and the more children are able to enjoy books and read with their families at home the more likely they are to become successful readers and to love books, which is just as important,” she said.
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